Miami Marlins Blank San Francisco Giants, 5-0

Though Tim Lincecum hurled a quality start tonight for the San Francisco Giants, it was not enough, as the Miami Marlins scored once in the second and four more times from the sixth inning onward, prevailing over the Giants, 5-0.  Both Giancarlo Stanton and Adeiny Hechavarria had two hits and an RBI, with Stanton’s RBI coming on a solo home run in the seventh. 

Tom Koehler started for the Marlins and pitched seven strong innings, giving up no runs on four hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts.  A.J. Ramos replaced Koehler at the start of the eighth inning and retired the Giants in order.  In the ninth Kevin Stowey gave Giants’ fans a thrill by allowing the San Francisco to load the bases, but in came closer Steve Cishek who got Tyler Colvin to strike out to end the game.

Tim Lincecum went six innings, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits, with three walks and six strikeouts.   David Huff came on and tried to finish out the game, giving up the solo shot to Stanton, and allowing another run on an RBI single by Jeff Baker.  But after the Marlins loaded the bases in the ninth with two outs, Bruce Bochy called on J. C. Gutierrez to get the final out.

Giants bats were quiet tonight, even though they got at least one runner on in each of the first four innings.  After going in order in the fifth, they put two on in the sixth before Gregor Blanco struck out to end the threat.  In the ninth Michael Morse led off with a single and Hector Sanchez followed with his third hit of the day, a double which put runners on second and third.  

After Buster Posey grounded back to the pitcher and Brandon Hicks lined out to third base, Brandon Crawford walked, loading the bases and bringing up Tyler Colvin, the hottest Giant on the team.  This time he ended matters by striking out.  The bright spot in the Giants’ order tonight was Hector, with three hits and a walk in four plate appearances.  More Hector behind the plate means less Buster behind the plate, and that is a good thing.

In recent history, the Marlins have had their way with San Francisco, at AT&T Park, not having lost a series since 2009.  Coming into the series, the Fish had taken ten out of the last eleven games, at AT&T.  That is truly an amazing stat.  Whatever it is that the Marlins like about being in the city by the bay, they punctuate it on the field by playing the Giants tough. 

If the Giants can salvage the finale tomorrow, then all is well.  If not, then history is doomed to repeat itself.  Ryan Vogelsong goes for San Francisco.  Stay tuned.